For the second time in three years head coach Chuck Weber and the Cincinnati Cyclones skated the Kelly Cup around U.S. Bank arena as champions of the ECHL (formerly called the East Coast Hockey League). The Cyclones won 2-1 over Idaho on Friday night, capturing the Kelly Cup finals series four games to one.
Weber hoisted the trophy for the second time in three years (Cincinnati Enquirer-Joseph Fuqua II)
Robert Mayer and Jeremy Smith, the team’s goalies were named co-MVPs of the playoffs. Mayer became the go-to guy in the final series. He faced 22 shots in the final game and only allowed one goal. Over the five game series he pitched one shutout and allowed nine goals.
Smith played the first two series and the first four games against Reading in the conference finals before Weber decided to use Mayer. Smith was an American Conference All-Star this January.
The Kelly Cup banner from 2008 that hangs in the rafters at U.S. Bank arena will soon get some company. The Cyclones will have a rally at Fountain Square on Sunday at 2 p.m. to celebrate their title with the city.
The 'Clones gathered around the Kelly Cup (Cincinnati Enquirer-Joseph Fuqua II)
The record crowd was treated to fireworks and confetti as the team celebrated on the ice. But pregame festivities were almost as nice. The Cincinnati area singing group The Mistics performed a rousing rendition of the national anthem and Butch Jones, head football coach at the University of Cincinnati, dropped the ceremonial first puck.
Then Jones, known for his promotional saying, “Represent the C,” got a microphone and told the crowd, “Tonight we represent the C for the Cincinnati Cyclones.” The raucous crowd cheered.
And the crowd kept their enthusiastic levels up throughout the evening, singing and dancing along to songs played over the speakers and chanting, “Let’s Go Cyclones,” throughout the game.
For more Cyclones coverage watch FOX19 this evening at 10:45. Zach Wells and Brian Giesenschlag will have some more highlights and reactions from players.
